Published date: Nov 10 2024

Journal Title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine

Issue title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM): Volume 22, Issue No. 9

Pages: 739–748

DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v22i9.17479

Mobina AnariDepartment of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Mahboube TaebiDepartment of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Reproductive Sciences and Sexual Health Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Mohammad Javad TarrahiDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Masoume Pirhadipirhadi@nm.mui.ac.irDepartment of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Reproductive Sciences and Sexual Health Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Background: Infertility is one of the major crises in couples’ lives, affecting both mental and physical health. One of the most significant consequences of infertility is stigma; moreover, emotional intelligence and women’s coping style with these consequences can affect the quality of this disorder.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate emotional intelligence, infertility stigma, quality of life, and the relationship between these variables in infertile women.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted from April 2023 to February 2024 on 349 infertile women referred to “Hazrat-Maryam-Infertility-Center-in-Shahid-Beheshti-hospital” and “Isfahan-Fertility-and-Infertility-Center” in Isfahan, Iran. Sampling was done using a convenience sampling method, and tools included 4 questionnaires, a demographic and midwifery information form, the quality of life questionnaire, the women’s-infertility-stigma-questionnaire, and the Schutte-Emotional-Intelligence scale.

Results: The results showed that the women’s mean age was 35.08 ± 7.60 yr. The mean score for emotional intelligence was 109.06 ± 6.12, and the infertility stigma’s was 56.1 ± 14.73. The results indicated a positive correlation between emotional intelligence and infertility stigma (r = 0.13, p < 0.001). Only the mean score of social well-being and general health dimensions had a significant relationship with the total score of emotional intelligence (r = 0.037, p < 0.02).

Conclusion: Infertile women have a lower quality of life and experience higher stigma. Since the quality of life and overall mental health affect the treatment process, also emotional intelligence plays an important role in human life, educational sessions and counseling should be considered in the treatment programs to improve the quality of life, thereby facilitating the treatment process with greater ease and speed.

Key words: Infertility, Quality of life, Emotional intelligence.

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